Skating apparatus

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a skating apparatus for providing a skating motion with a feel similar to a feel of an ice skating motion on a contact surface other then an ice surface, to a user wearing the skating apparatus on his/her feet. The skating apparatus includes at least one guiding member, a sliding mechanism and a frame member. The guiding member includes a peripheral channel for slidably coupling the sliding mechanism on the peripheral channel. The sliding mechanism upon sliding along a portion of the peripheral channel and in a linear direction with respect to the contact surface, enables the at least one guiding member to move in an opposite linear direction with respect to the contact surface. The movement of the guiding member in the opposite linear direction provides the skating motion with similar feel as of the ice skating motion to the user in the opposite linear direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention claims priority under 35 United States Code,Section 119 on the U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/955,518filed on Aug. 13, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to sports equipment, and moreparticularly, to a skating apparatus used for the purposes of skating orsimulating a skating motion on a surface other than ice.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is customary to use skating apparatuses, such as an inline skatingapparatus for a purpose of simulating a skating motion similar to an iceskating motion on a surface, which is typically a smooth surface. Atypical inline skating apparatus includes a frame and multipleinline-wheels attached to the frame. Further, the inline skatingapparatus may include a skate boot attached at a top surface of theframe. The inline skating apparatus is adapted to skate in a forward ora backward direction on the surface to provide a skating motion to auser wearing the skate boot. While skating in the forward or thebackward direction on the surface, the inline skating apparatus touchesthe surface at multiple points, depending upon the number ofinline-wheels incorporated therein.

However, such inline skating apparatus has limitations in fullysimulating a skating motion similar to the ice skating motion, and alsoin maneuvering the skating apparatus. Generally, the inline-wheels ofthe inline skating apparatus are configured in a manner such that theinline skating apparatus has multiple contact points with the surface(namely, where each of the inline-wheels touches the surface). Due tothe multiple contact points made by the inline-wheels on the smoothsurface, the existing inline skating apparatus is not able to simulate askating motion similar to the ice skating motion.

Another limitation with the existing inline skating apparatus is that,the existing inline skating apparatus may not be able to produce a“feel” similar to the ice skating motion while skating on the smoothsurface. The existing inline-wheel arrangement of the inline skatingapparatus changes the user's skating biomechanics and kinematics whenthe user uses the inline skating apparatus on the smooth surface. Moreparticularly, the structural configuration and weight of the existinginline skating apparatus differ from a typical skating apparatus used onan ice surface. When the user regularly practices with the existinginline skating apparatus on the smooth surface, the user establishes anew muscle memory associated with a new movement pattern. The experienceof new movement pattern may eradicate his/her previous experienceassociated with the skating on the ice surface, due to the differencebetween the structural configuration and the weight of the existinginline skating apparatus, and the typical skating apparatus used on theice surface. Thus, the user while skating on the ice surface may faceproblems in generating a proper movement pattern due to the new memory,which he/she has developed while regularly practicing on the smoothsurface with the existing inline skating apparatus.

Accordingly, there exists a need of a skating apparatus, which iscapable of simulating a skating motion similar to an ice skating motion,to produce a feel similar to a feel of the ice skating motion.

SUMMARY OF THE INEVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, thegeneral purpose of the present invention is to provide a skatingapparatus that is configured to include all advantages of the prior art,and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein.

An object of the present invention is to provide a skating apparatusthat is capable of simulating a skating motion similar to an ice skatingmotion, to produce a feel similar to a feel of the ice skating motion.

Another object of the present invention is to provide skating apparatushaving a structural configuration and weight for facilitating insimulating a skating motion similar to an ice skating motion.

To achieve the above objects, in an aspect of the present invention, askating apparatus is provided. The skating apparatus comprises at leastone guiding member, a sliding mechanism and a frame member. The at leastone guiding member comprises a peripheral channel. Further, the slidingmechanism is slidably coupled with at least a portion of the peripheralchannel of the at least one guiding member. Furthermore, the framemember is detachably attached to the at least one guiding member, whichis capable of being engaged to a foot of a user. When the slidingmechanism slides along the portion of the peripheral channel, thesliding mechanism moves in a linear direction with respect to a contactsurface. Therefore, the sliding mechanism enables the at least oneguiding member to move in an opposite linear direction of the lineardirection. The movement of the at least one guiding member in theopposite linear direction enables the skating apparatus to move in theopposite linear direction, thereby also moving the user in the oppositelinear direction.

This together with other aspects of the present invention, along withthe various features of novelty that characterize the present invention,are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forma part of this present invention. For a better understanding of thepresent invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objectattained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanyingdrawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplaryembodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and the features of the present invention will becomebetter understood with reference to the following details descriptionand claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, whereinlike elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a skating apparatus, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the skating apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of a guiding member, according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B illustrates a front view of a guiding member, according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of a sliding mechanism, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective view of a frame member according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B illustrates a side view of the frame member of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the skating apparatus, according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a sliding mechanism of the skatingapparatus of FIG. 6.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the descriptionof several views of the drawings.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For a thorough understanding of the present invention, reference is tobe made to the following detailed description, including the appendedclaims, in connection with the above-described drawings. Although thepresent invention is described in connection with exemplary embodiments,the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specificforms set forth herein. It is understood that various omissions andsubstitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances maysuggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover theapplication or implementation without departing from the spirit or scopeof the claims of the present invention. Also, it is to be understoodthat the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

The term “top”, “bottom” and the like, herein do not denote any order,elevation or importance, but rather are used to distinguish placement ofone element over another, and the terms “a” and “an” herein do notdenote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of atleast one of the referenced item.

The present invention provides a skating apparatus which may be worn bya user on his/her foot. The skating apparatus including at least oneguiding member, a sliding mechanism and a frame member. The slidingmechanism is capable of moving on a contact surface in order to enablethe user wearing the skating apparatus to skate in a forward or abackward direction. More particularly, upon wearing a pair of skatingapparatuses in his/her feet, the user may skate in the forward or thebackward direction by alternately moving the pair of skating apparatuseson the contact surface for simulating a skating similar to an iceskating motion.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a skating apparatus 100 is shown,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1represents a front view of the skating apparatus 100 and FIG. 2represents an exploded view of the skating apparatus 100. The skatingapparatus 100 comprises at least one guiding member, such as a guidingmember 102, a sliding mechanism 104, and a frame member 106. The guidingmember 102 includes a peripheral channel 108 (hereinafter referred to as‘channel 108’). At least a portion (not shown) of the channel 108 iscapable of slidably coupling with the sliding mechanism 104 thereon. Theguiding member 102 is further described in detail with reference to FIG.3A. The frame member 106 is detachably attached to the guiding member102. The frame member 106 is further described with reference to FIGS.5A and 5B.

The skating apparatus 100 further comprises a footwear member 110. Moreparticularly, the footwear member 110 is disposed on the frame member106. The user may wear the skating apparatus 100 by placing his/her footin the footwear member 110. The sliding mechanism 104 that is slidablycoupled to the channel 108 may slide along the channel 108 of guidingmember 102, when user exerts backward force on the skating apparatus100. More specifically, the sliding mechanism 104 is coupled to thechannel 108 in a manner such that the sliding mechanism 104 rests in thechannel 108 and an outer surface of a portion of the sliding mechanism104 makes a contact with a contact surface ‘C’ (see FIG. 1). Thisarrangement of the guiding member 102 and the sliding mechanism 104provides the skating apparatus 100 with a structural configurationsubstantially similar to a structural configuration of a skatingapparatus suitable for skating on the ice surface. Due to the similarstructural configuration, the skating apparatus 100 is capable ofsimulating a skating motion for a user that is similar to the iceskating motion.

The sliding mechanism 104 on sliding along the portion of the channel108 enables the sliding mechanism 104 to move in a linear direction withrespect to a contact surface ‘C’. For example, when the slidingmechanism 104 slides along the portion of the channel 108 in a clockwisedirection, a movement of the sliding mechanism 104 with respect tocontact surface ‘C’ is in a linear direction ‘A₁’. Further, the movementof the sliding mechanism 104 in the linear direction ‘A₁’ enables theguiding member 102 to move in an opposite linear direction ‘A₂’. Themovement of the guiding member 102 in the opposite linear direction ‘A₂’enables the skating apparatus 100 to skate in the opposite lineardirection ‘A₂’. Accordingly, the user is moved in the opposite lineardirection ‘A₂’ with respect to the contact surface ‘C’.

More particularly, the movement of the user in the opposite lineardirection ‘A₂’ is a skating motion with a feel similar to a feel of anice skating motion. Such skating motion may be produced by the user byengaging a pair of skating apparatuses 100 on his/her feet. Thereafter,the user may skate in the forward or the backward direction on thecontact surface ‘C’ by alternately moving the pair of skatingapparatuses 100 on the contact surface ‘C’. Further, it will be apparentto a person ordinary skilled in the art that the skating apparatus 100may be used to train ice skating players to skate on an ice surface.More specifically, while skating on the contact surface ‘C’, the skatingapparatus 100 provides the skating motion with the feel similar to thefeel of the ice skating motion to the ice skating players, which may bea practice for the ice skating players to skate on the ice surface. Itwill further be apparent to the person ordinary skilled in the art thatthe skating apparatus 100 may also be used to train inline hockeyplayers to skate on a finished contact surface.

Referring now to FIG. 3A, the guiding member 102 is illustrated,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and isdescribed in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2. Without departing from thescope of the present invention, the guiding member 102 may besubstantially thick and of an oblong shape. In one embodiment, theguiding member 102 is scraped at a peripheral edge portion 112 toconfigure the channel 108 thereon. However, it will be apparent to aperson skilled in the art that the guiding member 102 having the channel108 may also be molded or obtained by any other process known in theart. The channel 108 is capable of slidably coupling the slidingmechanism 104 to the guiding member 102 (as shown in FIG. 1). A personskilled in the art would appreciate that the present invention providesthe channel 108 to be substantially smooth, which facilitates theslidable coupling between the guiding member 102 and the slidingmechanism 104. Further, in one embodiment, the guiding member 102 may becut from different portions thereof to configure a plurality of slits oropenings (not shown) in order to reduce the weight of the guiding member102 for providing the skating apparatus 100 having weight substantiallysimilar to the weight of an ice skating apparatus.

Further, the guiding member 102 includes a plurality of through holes,such as through holes 114 (hereinafter referred to as ‘holes 114’). Theguiding member 102 is detachably attached to the frame member 106 byutilizing an attaching means 116 through the holes 114. The attachingmeans 116 may include, but is not limited to, a nut-bolt assembly, apress-fit assembly and a riveting mechanism. However, it will be evidentto a person skilled in the art to detachably attach the guiding member102 and the frame member 106 by any other attaching mechanism known inthe art.

Referring now to FIG. 3B, a guiding member, such as a guiding member 118is illustrated in FIG. 3B, according to another embodiment of thepresent invention. The guiding member 118 includes a tension mechanism.More particularly, the guiding member 118 is cut in two parts 118 a and118 b. The parts 118 a and 118 b are adjustably attached by the tensionmechanism. More specifically, the tension mechanism comprises anattaching mechanism 120, such as a plurality of bolts or a plurality ofscrews. The attaching mechanism 120 of the tension mechanism may betightened or loosened to increase or decrease tension in a slidingmechanism, such as the sliding mechanism 104. The sliding mechanism isslidably coupled with the guiding member 118 for skating the skatingapparatus 100 in order to simulate a skating motion similar to an iceskating motion on the contact surface ‘C’. More particularly, theattaching mechanism 120 may be tightened to decrease spacing between theparts 118 a and 118 b in order to reduce a tension of the slidingmechanism. Further, the attaching mechanism 120 may be loosened toincrease spacing between the parts 118 a and 118 b in order to increasea tension of the sliding mechanism.

Referring now to FIG. 4, wherein a sliding mechanism, such as thesliding mechanism 104 is illustrated, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. Herein, references of FIGS. 1 and 2will be made for the purpose of description of the sliding mechanism104. The sliding mechanism 104 includes an endless sliding member 124, aplurality of rolling members 126 and a protective member 128. Theendless sliding member 124 includes a plurality of linking member, suchas a linking member 130 having a projection 132 extending verticallyfrom a bottom surface 134 a of the linking member 130. The projection132 enables the endless sliding member 124 to be securely engaged in thechannel 108, and also protects the endless sliding member 124 to skidout from the channel 108 while skating. The endless sliding member 124is configured by pivotally interlinking the plurality of linking members130 by using pivoting members 133. The pivoting members 133 may include,but are not limited to, screws and rivets.

Further, the rolling members 126, preferably of cylindrical shape areplaced between projections 132 of two adjacent linking members 130.Furthermore, the rolling members 126 along with the endless slidingmember 124 are disposed in the channel 108. The rolling members 126enables a smooth sliding contact between the endless sliding member 124and the guiding member 102 on being disposed in the channel 108.

The linking member 130 is preferably made of metal, alloy, plastic, andcombination thereof. Further, the protective member 128 is disposed ontoa top surface 134b of the linking member 130. The protective member 128protects the endless sliding member 124 from wear and tear, when theskating apparatus 100 skates on the contact surface ‘C’. Further, theprotective member 128 is capable of generating required friction forturning and decelerating the skating apparatus 100. The protectivemember 128 may be made of a material, such as a polyurethane material, arubber material, a plastic material, a polyethylene material, Teflonmaterial, and the like.

The rolling members 126 of the sliding mechanism 104 roll in the channel108, when the skating apparatus 100 skates on the contact surface ‘C’ inthe linear direction. The rotation of the rolling members 126 helps inreducing friction between the guiding member 102 and the rolling member126 for smoothly skating the skating apparatus 100 in the lineardirection in order to simulate the skating motion similar to an iceskating motion on the contact surface ‘C’. Further, at the same time, ifthe user wants to turn the direction of the skating apparatus 100 ordecelerate the skating motion of the skating apparatus 100, he/she maychange the orientation of the skating apparatus 100. The change in theorientation may cause stopping of the rolling member 126 due to thecylindrical shape thereof. The stopping of the rolling member 126 maycause skidding of the sliding mechanism 104 on the contact surface ‘C’,thereby generating required frictional resistance to turn or deceleratethe skating apparatus 100. The projection 132 is capable of retainingthe endless sliding member 124 in the channel 108 while turning ordecelerating of the skating apparatus 100.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, wherein a perspective view and a sideview of the frame member 106, respectively, are illustrated, accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Herein, referencesof FIGS. 1 and 2 will be made for the purpose of description of theframe member 106. The frame member 106 is configured to be detachablyattached to the guiding member 102. The frame member 106 includes amounting surface 136 for mounting the footwear member 110 thereon.Further, the frame member 106 includes portions 138 a and 138 bextending vertically downward from the mounting surface 136. Theportions 138 a and 138 b configure a channel section 140 therebetween.The channel section 140 is adapted to partially receive the guidingmember 102 to detachably attach with the guiding member 102.Furthermore, the portions 138 a and 138 b include a plurality of throughholes, such as holes 142. When the guiding member 102 is partiallyreceived within the channel section 140 of the frame member 106, theholes 114 of the guiding member 102 and the holes 142 of the framemember 106 align with each other. Furthermore, the attaching means 116may be inserted into the matched holes 114 and 142 to rigidify theattachment between the guiding member 102 and the frame member 106.

Detachable attachment of the guiding member 102 and the frame member 106is in a manner such that, there is a confirmed space (not shown) betweena surface 140a of the channel section 140 and the sliding mechanism 104.The confirmed space enables the sliding mechanism 104 to slide freelyalong the channel 108 without touching the frame member 106.Furthermore, in one embodiment, the frame member 106 may be cut fromdifferent portion in order to reduce weight of the frame member 106 forproviding the skating apparatus 100 having weight substantially similarto the weight of an ice skating apparatus.

For example, the frame member 106 may be cut from a central portion toform a curve portion 146 for reducing the weight of the frame member106. However, it will be evident to a person skilled in the art to cutthe frame member 106 from other portions thereof depending upon therequirement, for suitably reducing the weight of the frame member 106.

Furthermore, in one embodiment, the frame member 106 may includeplurality of through holes, such as holes 147 on the mounting surface136 for incorporating a fixing means 148 for mounting the footwearmember 110.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the frame member 106 is adapted to beattached to the footwear member 110. The footwear member 110 includes asole member 150 and a shell member 151. The sole member 150 forms abottom portion of the footwear member 110. In one embodiment, the solemember 150 may include plurality of through holes, such as holes 152 ata peripheral portion of the sole member 150. The footwear member 110 maybe attached to the frame member 106 by placing the sole member 150 ontothe mounting surface 136, in a manner such that the holes 147 and 152align with each other. Further, the fixing means 148, such as a bolt,may be inserted into the aligned holes 147 and 152 for mounting thefootwear member 110 onto the frame member 106. Further, in anotherembodiment, the footwear member 110 may be mounted onto the frame member106 by using adhesive, or any other attaching means known in the art.

In one embodiment, the sole member 150 includes a multiple layeredvibrations damping bed 154 and a soft sole 156. The multiple layeredvibrations damping bed 154 is made of an open cell shock absorbing foammaterial. The multiple layered vibrations damping bed 154 reducevibrations produced during a linear skating motion. Further, when theuser wears the skating apparatus 100 by placing his/her foot in thefootwear member 110, the soft sole 156 comfortably supports the foot ofthe user. On wearing the skating apparatus 100, the shell member 151,which is extending from a peripheral side of the sole member 150, coversthe foot of the user. In one embodiment, the shell member 151 may bemade of a material selected at least from a lather material, thick clothmaterial made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural orsynthetic fibers. The material of the shell member 151 as disclosedherein is for purpose of understanding only, and should not beconsidered as limiting.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a perspective view of a skating apparatus, suchas a skating apparatus 200, is shown, according to another exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, theskating apparatus 200 includes more than one guiding members. Forexample, the skating apparatus includes four guiding members 202.Further, similar to the skating apparatus 100, the skating apparatus 200includes a sliding mechanism 204 and a frame member 206. The guidingmembers 202 are circular guiding members, which are detachably attachedto the frame member 206. Further, each of the guiding members 202 isprovided with a peripheral channel 210. The sliding mechanism 204 isslidably coupled along at least a portion, which is shown as variousportions 212 of the peripheral channel 210 of the each of the guidingmembers 202. The peripheral channel 210 may be coated with ananti-friction material for sliding the sliding mechanism 204 therein.

The sliding mechanism 204 is represented in FIG. 7, according to thepresent exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and is describedin conjunction with FIG. 6. The sliding mechanism 204 includes anendless sliding member 214 and a protective member 216. Similar to theendless sliding member 124, the endless sliding member 214 includes aplurality of linking members 218, pivotally interlinked to configure theendless sliding member 214. Further, each of the linking members 218includes a projection 220 extending vertically from a bottom surfacethereof. More particularly, the projection 220 extends vertically in atapered manner from the bottom surface and rest on the portions 212 ofthe peripheral channel 210 (see FIG. 6). The projection 220 of theendless sliding member 214 enables the endless sliding member 214 toslide on the portions 212 of the peripheral channel 210 of the guidingmembers 202. The linking members 218, similar to the linking members 130are made of material such as metal, metal-alloy, plastic and combinationthereof.

Furthermore, the protective member 216, similar to the protective member128 is coupled to a top surface (not shown) of each of the linkingmember 218. The protective member 216 protects the endless slidingmember 214 from wear and tear, when the skating apparatus 200 skates ona contact surface ‘C’ to simulate a skating motion similar to anice-skating motion, as shown in FIG. 6. Further, the protective members216 are capable to generating required friction for turning anddecelerating the skating apparatus 200. The protective member 216,similar to the protective member 128, is made of a material, such as apolyurethane material, a rubber material, a plastic material, apolyethylene material, a Teflon material, and the like.

Referring again to FIG. 6, the guiding members 202 are circular guidingmembers that are detachably attached to the frame member 206 by using anattaching means 219, such as nut-bolt assembly. More particularly, theframe member 206 is detachably attached to each of the guiding members202 by the attaching means 219. The detachable attachment between theguiding members 202 and frame member 204 is in a manner such that eachof the guiding members 204 rotates about their respective axis of theattaching means 219. The structural configuration of the frame member206 is similar to the frame member 106. The attachment of the framemember 206 and a guiding member 202 also defines a confirmed space (notshown) similar to the confirmed space between the frame member 106 andthe guiding member 102. The confirmed space enables the slidingmechanism 204 to slide smoothly along the peripheral channels 210 onrotating the guiding members 204 about their respective axis, withouttouching the frame member 206.

Further, the frame member 206 may be attached to the footwear member 222similar to the footwear member 110. The footwear member 222, similar tothe footwear member 110 is wearable. The user wears the skatingapparatus 200 by placing his/her feet in a pair of such footwear members222, and may skate the skating apparatus 200.

The skating apparatuses, such as the skating apparatuses 100 and 200 ofthe present invention provide following advantages. The skatingapparatuses are capable of simulating a skating motion similar to an iceskating motion for producing a feel similar to the feel of the iceskating motion. Therefore, the skating apparatuses may be used fortraining purposes of an ice skating and an inline hockey on a finishedcontact surface. Furthermore, the skating apparatuses have structuralconfigurations and weights substantially similar to a structuralconfiguration and weight of an skating apparatus suitable for skating onan ice surface, such as ice skates, in order to simulate the skatingmotion similar to the ice skating motion.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the presentinvention have been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit thepresent invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously manymodifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to bestexplain the principles of the present invention and its practicalapplication, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilizethe present invention and various embodiments with various modificationsas are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood thatvarious omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated ascircumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended tocover the application or implementation without departing from thespirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.

1. A skating apparatus, comprising: at least one guiding member having aperipheral channel; a sliding mechanism slidably coupled with at least aportion of the peripheral channel of the at least one guiding member,the sliding mechanism on sliding along the portion of the peripheralchannel enabling the sliding mechanism to move in a linear directionwith respect to a contact surface; and a frame member detachablyattached to the at least one guiding member, the frame member capable ofbeing engaged to a foot of a user, wherein the sliding mechanism enablesthe at least one guiding member to move in an opposite linear directionof the linear direction for moving the skating apparatus in the oppositelinear direction, thereby moving the user in the opposite lineardirection.
 2. The skating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the slidingmechanism comprises: a plurality of linking members interlinked toconfigure an endless sliding member, each of the plurality of linkingmembers having a projection extending downwardly from a bottom surfacethereof; a plurality of rolling members, each of the plurality ofrolling members disposed between adjacent projections of the endlesssliding member; and a protective member disposed on a top surface ofeach of the plurality of linking members, wherein the plurality ofrolling members along with the endless sliding member are adapted to beat least partially accommodated in the peripheral channel.
 3. Theskating apparatus of claim 2, wherein the protective member is made ofat least one of a polyurethane material, a polyethylene material, arubber material, a plastic material and a Teflon material.
 4. Theskating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sliding mechanism comprises: aplurality of linking members interlinked to configure an endless slidingmember, each of the plurality of linking members having a projectionextending vertically from a bottom surface thereof; and a protectivemember disposed on a top surface of each of the plurality of linkingmembers, wherein the endless sliding member is adapted to be at leastpartially accommodated in the peripheral channel in a manner such thatthe protective member is in contact with the contact surface.
 5. Theskating apparatus of claim 4, wherein the protective member is made ofat least one of a polyurethane material, a polyethylene material, arubber material, a plastic material and a Teflon material.
 6. Theskating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame member comprises: amounting surface; and a pair of portions extending downwardly from themounting surface, the pair of portions defining a channel sectionstherebetween, the channel sections adapted to at least partially receivethe at least one guiding member.
 7. The skating apparatus of claim 6,wherein the at least one guiding member is detachably attached to theframe member by an attaching means on receiving the at least one guidingmember within the peripheral channel.
 8. The skating apparatus of claim7, wherein the attaching means is at least one of a nut-bolt assembly, apress-fit assembly and a riveting mechanism.
 9. The skating apparatus ofclaim 6, further comprising a footwear member disposed on the mountingsurface of the frame member to receive the foot of the user.
 10. Theskating apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a tension mechanismconfigured on the at least one guiding member for adjusting a tension inthe sliding mechanism.